Women in Business: Female entrepreneurs go downtown

Thursday

Jul 10, 2008 at 6:18 PMJul 10, 2008 at 6:29 PM

By MARIAN RIZZOSpecial to Ocala Business Journal

OCALA -- Shannon Roth would like Ocala's downtown business district to get back to what it was when she was growing up here.The owner of Shannon Roth Collection, a boutique offering home furnishings and accessories, among other items, on South Magnolia Avenue, Roth said there used to be shops for just about everything, from ladies' dresses to jewelry to hardware."I remember it as a little girl," Roth said. "It was the place to shop."Roth is among several women who are grasping at the past while bringing high-end merchandise to the downtown district. In late 2006, Roth moved her business from a 1,300-square-foot storefront she was renting and purchased a 4,500-square-foot historic building that once housed the Dixie Theatre, a silent movie theater of the 1920s. She restored the old structure close to what it once was, complete with towering wall of distressed brick, while keeping it functional.Roth shares the store with her daughter, Cass Roth-Retz, owner of Olivia & Co., whose store offers designer clothes and other items for small children. Like Roth and her daughter, many female entrepreneurs are bringing a woman's touch to the downtown area. They're maintaining the historic appeal while offering the latest in retail items. That's O.K., says Mike Franco, president of the Ocala Downtown Business Alliance. Also the co-owner with Marjorie McGee of The Lime Cabinet, Franco said private business owners -- many of them women -- have invested about $12 million in their downtown businesses. He said he is not sure how many women are involved, but the number seems to be growing."I've never actually added it up, but there are a lot of women business owners down there," Franco said. "Small businesses are one of the main driving forces behind downtown, and women-owned businesses are a considerable part of that aspect. And, as anybody knows, women tend to work hard and present things that men don't think about. You can always count on a more knowledgeable base when you mix men and women together. Diversity is what makes everything great. You have such a nice mix of businesses downtown -- restaurants, retail, the arts -- our ultimate goal is to make it bigger and better."Franco said there are plans to bring more artists and musicians to the square. And, because people love history, plans include putting a plaque on each business and giving a brief history of the building, he said.Marie Harrington and her husband, Gene Belden, bought a historic building on Southwest Broadway and 18 months ago they opened Bakers & Cooks, offering specialty foods, kitchenware and cooking classes.The building dates back to 1900, Harrington said."When we drove by this dumpy building, I could imagine it looking adorable," she said. "I wanted old-fashioned because we're in the historic business district. I think downtown is cool. This street, Broadway, is going to be the place to be. If more things open in the evenings, we will be open in the evenings. We all try to work together."Belden is retired and likes to play golf, so Harrington is the mainstay of the business. She works the shop six days a week, knows many patrons by name, and offers free coffee and food samples to visitors.Meanwhile, Julie Atkinson adds a different flavor to the downtown area with the Ocala Wine Experience. When other businesses are closing for the day, Atkinson is opening her doors to the nightlife. Her establishment will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sept. 7.Though Atkinson keeps different hours than most, she stays close to other business owners, especially those adding culture and hosting fund-raisers. Atkinson praised the Brick City Center for the Arts and other cultural groups for bringing patrons to the downtown area and for contributing much to charity. Many of these operations are run by women, Atkinson said."There's a lot of women involved," Atkinson said. "We're adventurous. I think we see the potential for business. I came from England and created a new life for myself over here. We're very excited, very positive. We really feel like any small business people who are looking for a location should look into coming downtown. I really think this is kind of a women's world."Jaye Baillie, president of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, which has its headquarters on the square, sees firsthand the impact women have made on the downtown area."It's probably a terrific formula that includes the historic aspect and the clustering of businesses that make it easy to go from one fun and exciting venue to the next," Baillie said. "I had a friend who said she just hopscotched downtown and was really surprised at the quality. I live downtown during the week. It's terrific. I get to experience the after-five ambience and the wonderful green space on the downtown square."Baillie also can identify with women business owners: Her own mother once had an antiques shop, the Green Door Store. Baillie said the same enthusiasm and excitement that her mother displayed in business every day can be seen in the women business owners of today."I see a belief in themselves," Baillie said. "In the downtown community, that's contagious. Instead of them being competitors, they're a support group for each other. I think Ocala is on its way to a vibrancy that we haven't seen since the 1960s."Ani Brioso, owner of Ani's Shabby Shak on Southeast First Avenue, has added to that communal spirit. In October, Brioso started "Girls Night Out," a monthly event that brings women downtown for an evening of shopping and social fun.In the beginning, Brioso held it only in her store. But, in recent months, she expanded "Girls Night Out" to include other shops. Patrons receive a wristband and a map of participating stores. The shops contribute a percentage of their sales to a pre-selected charity. The last event raised more than $400 for New Horizon Academy, Brioso said.Because "Girls Night Out" has gotten bigger, it's now held every other month. The next event is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 6, starting at 4 p.m. at Ani's. It ends around 8:30 or 9 p.m. This time, patrons will receive backpacks to be filled at the different stores with school supplies for needy children."It's sort of like a scavenger hunt but with a good cause behind it," Brioso said. "It's a night, basically, where the ladies have a good time together. It's a night dedicated for the ladies -- no fees whatsoever -- for the ladies to go out with their girlfriends, sisters, moms, daughters, just to enjoy the downtown."